Sunday Homily 10-19-08, 29th, Ordinary Time
Readings: Isaiah 45, 1-6; Psalm 96; 1 Thessalonians 1, 1-5; Matthew 22, 15-21
Isaiah: This selection comes from what is probably Isaiah 2, written some centuries after the first 39 chapters. Isaiah speaks from Yahweh's perspective and He is calling someone by name.
Thessalonians:
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Time written: ca. 52 A.D. Considered Paul's first letter.
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Place: Paul was writing in Corinth, Greece to the town in northern Greece, Thessalonica, at the northern corner of the Aegean Sea.
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Purpose of writing: to comfort and encourage the new Christians of Thessalonica, most of whom were Gentiles.
Picture 1: Beginning of Mass
Picture 2: Choir, Wendy, Shonda, & Ray
Called to Caretake
Last Tuesday Rosemary went to visit a woman named Robin Reddick. Robin is Kay Reddick's daughter and it was Kay who visited us last January around the time of my birthday. Robin, who is 50, has never spoken a word in her life, has a severe case of Down's Syndrome and has lived in special homes for the majority of her life.
To celebrate Kay's 80th birthday Rosemary & I went to visit her in Lindsay, Ontario, a little town about 2 hours north east of Toronto. I've known & had a special relationship with the Reddicks & their 6 kids since I studied Theology in Toronto from '68-'72. When I visit them I almost always visit Robin.
We found Robin in the dining room of the center. She was asleep at the table semi-reclining in a wheel chair that tilts back. Next to her right was Irene, a little lady asleep with her head almost touching the edge of the table. Across the table was Gladys who said repeatedly, "I'm a graduate nurse," and referring to Robin sleeping in her wheel chair, "She is never a problem."
I always have the question, "Why," when I visit Robin. Kay says that without saying a word, Robin has profoundly effected her life for the better. Robin lives in this facility now because she is declining in health, sleeps most of the time, and frequently does not eat. For the first time ever Robin had tears in her eyes while we were there. What is the feeling behind the tears? What is going on inside Robin?
While I was humbled by my time with Robin as usual, I was equally struck this time by the staff. Ontario does a terrific job with such services. There must have been about 5 women serving lunch to ten tables of four persons each. These women humbled me. They laughed, they played, they knew the names of all the elderly & handicapped people, and they teased them. I got up once and served tea to Gladys and the ladies were all appreciative. They were hand feeding some people and all the while talking to them.
These care taking ladies came to mind when I reflected upon today's readings. In Matthew we hear about giving to the state and giving to God. In Thessalonians, Paul says they are chosen. In Isaiah, Yahweh says, "I have called you by your name." That confounds me when I think about Robin. Does Yahweh call her by name? Does Yahweh choose her? To do what? To what kind of life?
I can see the care taker ladies being called by name & chosen to nurture those people in their charge. In fact, I see all of us who are not like Robin to be called to care take. This is how I understand the Matthew reading about rendering to Caesar. We care take in ever wider circles, beginning with those closest to me physically, perhaps my family. Then as a Christian I am called to care take my village, my town, my state, my country, my globe?
I remain confounded by Robin's life. However, I have no doubts that I am called to care take people in ways similar and dissimilar than the ladies at the center.
Name three people you care take in your life. Whom do you care take in the beyond, like nationally?
AUDIO: http://mysite.verizon.net/reso7rjy/sitebuildercontent/sitebuilderfiles/2008-10-19.mp3